The excitement of international equestrian sports returns to Central Ohio at the 9th annual New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix. Twenty-five of the top professional show jumping riders, will compete in a USEF, INC. / FEI sanctioned invitational show jumping Grand Prix for $80,000 in prize money.

The Grand Prix, to be held on Sunday, October 8, 2006 is the centerpiece of Family Day fun at The New Albany Classic. The gates open at 10:00am with a variety of planned activities for both adults and children including special entertainment, carnival rides and games, hands-on-crafts, great food, clowns, jugglers, face-painting, caricature artists, a petting zoo, and much more. The Grand Prix Welcoming Ceremony begins at 2:00pm with the competition commencing at 2:30pm.

The New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day was created to benefit the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, an organization focused on changing our community's attitude and response to family violence. The Coalition collaborates with over 100 professionals and community leaders and focuses its efforts through its Business, Health Care, Legal, Victim Services and Faith Community task forces. The task forces model national and local best practices in the field of family violence and do not duplicate the work of the many fine programs already in existence. All proceeds raised through corporate and individual contributions to the New Albany Classic directly fund a variety of task force-directed initiatives.

The New Albany Classic is held outdoors, rain or shine. Dress is casual and weather appropriate. Please note that the event grounds are open fields and lawns and may not be suitable for baby strollers. Wagons or child-carriers are suggested. Spectators will be able to watch the Grand Prix competition from bleachers located next to the show ring. There are no reserved seats and tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets are sold at the gate.